Westlake Village's Danielle Kang better prepared for second season on LPGA Tour

AP file
Westlake Village resident Danielle Kang, 20, believes she is better equipped for her second season on the LPGA Tour.

AP2012

Midway through her rookie season on the LPGA Tour, Danielle Kang had a heart-to-heart chat with her longtime swing coach Brady Riggs.

The Westlake Village resident had just missed back-to-back cuts.

"When I got on the LPGA Tour, I hyped it up in my mind so much that I was putting more pressure on myself than needed to be," Kang said. "I was thinking too much and feeling like every shot needed to be perfect.

"When I was having success as an amateur golfer I just went out, got my yardage and hit my shot. So Brady told me to forget all the stuff I had been thinking about and just go back to hitting shots and having fun."

The next week at the Kingsmill Championship, the 20-year-old Kang looked more like the player who won back-to-back United States Women's Amateur title.

Relaxed and free of her self-induced pressure, Kang played the first two rounds at 11-under par, including a career-best 7-under 64 in the second round. It put Kang in contention for the first time as a professional. She finished in a tie for third, her top finish of 2012, earning her a career-best $77,618.

More important than the high finish or the money was the confidence boost.

"It helped me relax, and the rest of the season I just kept playing better and better," said Kang, a Westlake High graduate.

Riggs said Kang is remarkably driven.

"Her expectations are extremely high, but she has the talent to achieve what she wants," Riggs said. "She got a chance to compete with No. 1-ranked Yani Tseng (at an event last season), and it was an eye-opening experience.

"It showed Danielle where her game needs to be to achieve her goal. She realizes she has work to do, but for Danielle, that just inspires her to work even harder to get what she wants."

Despite some moments of self-doubt, Kang's rookie season was a success. She finished No. 52 on the money list, giving her full exemption for the 2013 season.

After barely making it through Qualifying School in 2011, Kang had very little status to start her rookie season. As a result, for most events she didn't know if she was in the field until the week before.

That won't be a problem this season. Aside from the majors, Kang can pretty much choose what events she will play.

"Last year we were always having to make travel arrangements late. I spent a lot of energy worrying about getting into events rather than focusing on how I was going to play," Kang said. "Knowing that I am in tournaments this season will let me focus on just playing golf. I think it's going to make a big difference."

Kang also believes she is better prepared for what to expect once she arrives at a tournament.

While Kang had played in selected professional events as an amateur, that didn't really prepare her for the rigors of life as a professional on the LPGA Tour.

Kang said she quickly learned about all the other things that go into being a professional golfer — like what hotels to stay at for each event, what restaurants to eat at or even something as simple as where to find a place to do laundry.

"It's something that every player has to experience, but I do feel a lot more prepared for this year," Kang said. "As I got to know other players they really helped me. We were in Taiwan and Candie Kung helped me find a laundrymat.

"It's a family atmosphere (on Tour). Anything you need, there is someone who will do what they can to get you an answer."

On the course, Kang has spent her offseason working on improving her short game, especially her wedges.

Throughout her rookie season, Kang said she would find herself in the middle of the fairway with a great chance to hit an approach shot close and set her up for birdies.

But too many times she either missed greens or put herself in bad spots on the green with her wedge shots.

She and Riggs put in many hours working on her wedge game and she also went to see noted short-game guru James Sieckmann.

"I feel much more confident with my wedges and I think it's going to help me," Kang said. "Last year I hit great shots but also really bad ones, so I need to be more consistent."

As much as Kang loves being home in Westlake, she's anxious for the 2013 season. She leaves Wednesday for Australia for next week's ISPS Handa Australian Open.

"I can't wait," Kang said. "I feel good about my game and I am looking forward to a great year."